Farmers markets make connections between Wood County growers, customers

Sarah Salewski from the Wood County Health Department talks about the benefits of farmers markets. People can meet the farmer who grew their food, build relationships, improve their health and more.
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Each vegetable represents more than a healthy food choice: Farmers markets promote quality nutrition, encourage community engagement and serve as a convenient place for farmers and consumers to meet face-to-face.

Kristie Egge, community health planner at the Wood County Health Department said a farmers market is a place where people can start long-term relationships with farmers and learn more about the food they’re eating.

“The beautiful thing about farmers markets is getting to know your farmer,” Egge said. “You’re building relationships with your neighbors. Where did your food come from and who made it?”

Vespertine Gardens is one farm that sells food at the Peach Street Farmers Market every Tuesday. Vespertine is a small, family-owned micro-farm in Vesper, harvesting on land that has been passed down for generations through Craig Tormoen’s family. Craig owns and runs the farm with his wife Jill Tormoen. They started farming the land eight years ago, and run an organic farm completely on solar power.

The Tormoens ran the farm as a Community Supported Agriculture farm for about five years, selling boxes of fresh, seasonal produce to customers who paid for a CSA subscription. Last year, Jill Tormoen said they decided to switch to selling at farmers markets. They started at the Peach Street Farmers Market in 2016 and added the Rome Farmers Market this year.

The farmers markets give her family more flexibility while raising a family, and they get more face-to-face time with the people who are buying the produce.

“With the farmers market, it’s all face-to-face with our customers,” Jill Tormoen said. “We really get to know the families who are eating our food. The Peach Street market has been very vocal and good at promoting local, sustainable ‘know your farmer, know your food’ things. It’s a good platform.”

Egge said markets create an environment where people can pick up food for the week, have fun, connect with other residents, benefit the local economy and promote healthy habits. The Wood County Health Department created a new website to connect and promote local farmers markets.

The Wood County Health Department is connecting local farmers markets and promoting them with similar signs. This sign is at the Wood County Farmers Market, located at the Rapids Mall.(Photo: Caitlin Shuda/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Wood County Health Department health educator, Sarah Salewski said the department wanted to help facilitate recognition between each of the markets in Wood County. New signs and banners are at each market.

Farmers markets have been growing in number and popularity over the years. According to the USDA, there were 6,268 farmers markets in 2014. Today, the USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory names 8,689 markets in the country, 308 of which are in Wisconsin. Six are in the Wisconsin Rapids area.

In addition to an increase in the number of markets, there has been an increase in public interest regarding local food and how it is grown in the last few years.

Jill Tormoen said after eight years of farming, she and her husband are seeing an increase of people wanting to know where their food comes from.

“People are a lot more health conscious and aware of how things are grown,” Jill Tormoen said.

“More people want to know their farmers and where their food comes from,” Egge said. “I think there’s a movement happening.”

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People gather June 21 at The School at Altenburg's Farm to hear more about the project.(Photo: Caitlin Shuda/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Local farm Vespertine Gardens wants to connect people with the farm. OmYum, a farm to yoga event will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Vespertine Gardens, 5470 Spruce Road in Vesper. For $30, visitors take an hour-long yoga class and enjoy samples of produce from the gardens. Guests should bring their own dishes, utensils and yoga mat or blanket to this event. Space is limited. Register at eventbrite.com.

The School at Altenburg’s Farm will host three chances to visit the farm at Family Farm Fun Nights. The same program will run from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. August 11, 17 and 24 at the farm school, 7020 Plover Road in Grand Rapids.